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Monday, October 18, 2010

2011-2012 and 2012-2013 School Calendar Options

Check out the calendar options below (click on them to view and download a larger copy). Then, to provide feedback, click here - and take the survey (linked at the bottom of that webpage) by close of business Friday, October 22, 2010.

Why, oh why, will DCSS not consider the calendar that Decatur City uses? It gives the kids a nice break every other month and still ends before Memorial Day. All of those lousy one day holidays are lumped together into some meaningful time off. Students need time during the school year to recharge their batteries!

Having gone to school up North and starting school after Labor Day and ending mid-June, I never understood why the South started school in August and ended in May. It seems that the school system could save a considerable sum of money (AC costs), if they too considered starting after Labor Day and ending mid-June.

When I contacted Ramona Tyson about the lack of choices (i.e. not including one with a later start date in August) she referred me to the calendar committee. When I contacted the head of the calendar committee, she said she was going based on the directives from Ramona Tyson. It is very frustrating to see that no one appears to be steering this ship!

Neither is a great option, but take it from a teacher- go with option 2. It starts a little later in August, and avoids the unnecessary week at Thanksgiving. The week off just before the end of the semester is not a good idea for educational continuity.

There are no right or wrong answers when it relates to the calendars. There are just a zillion different opinions. And this won't change with a new board.

There are parents who speak strongly and loudly about their desire for finals to be given before winter break. Fulton started school much later this year but they have very unbalanced semesters. This is not ideal, but it is nearly impossible in DeKalb where nearly every high school is on the 4 by 4 block.

Cobb started earlier than we did as they have gone to a semi-balanced calendar. Caused a huge outcry because about half the parents are opposed. Guess what? About half support it as well.

The two-day school week Thanksgiving week is a waste. So many people take off anyway so getting anything done during those two days is nearly impossible. I'm also tired of people talking about childcare issues. DCSS is NOT a babysitting service. For what it's worth, if we did have more weeks of during the year, you could take your vacation at a much discounted price in October or February and see lower crowds..... Also, it's often just as hot in Georgia in June as it is in August, so that argument isn't worth much there.

Wow, I love the comments about working parents and single parents. I feel for the tough work you must do when there is a holiday.

But isn't there a family leave act, signed by Bill Clinton. Plus, didn't they extend those benefits recently?

Also, I think the business sector would create more camps, if there could be a more coordinated schedule among systems.

I'm not sure if I am for or against the week off at Thanksgiving. It seems like a long time to me.

Growing up in the 60's and 70's, in Tampa, We started school the week before Labor Day. This way kids had a chance to acclimate themselves and then get down to work the Tuesday after Labor Day.

In October there was a longer Fall Break. Thurs. Fri. Mon. around Columbus Day. Teachers had one of these days, as a work day.

I never understood DeKalb's thinking about the Spring Break in April. It seems so late in the year. I feel an earlier Spring Break during the 3rd or 4th week in March, would give teachers more time to prepare the students for the CRCT and give those skiing parents a chance a better snow.. (sarc.) Is there a religious reason for this late Spring break scheduling?

In Florida, school was finished following the first full week in June. What to do!

"I'm also tired of people talking about childcare issues. DCSS is NOT a babysitting service."

comments like these are simply offensive and do not deserve a response. As as for the Family Medical Leave Act, it is terrific legislation but guarantees only "leave without pay."

How about we look at data from successful school systems, outside of Georgia, and see how their calendars support and enhance the education their kids receive. Many of the top performing systems in the NE have 1st semester exams after winter holidays. That way, they start after Labor Day and get out in June.

Just to throw in my two cents...Why, also, would they not consider starting school on a Wednesday or Thursday like a lot of private schools do - get the kids in there, get organized and then start the academic work on the next Monday. Why do these "calendar committees" not seem to have any imagination or thought into what works best for kids not just following the surrounding areas which has always been their argument.

I definitely want to start as late as possible in August. On the 2011-2012 Calendar, that would be Option 1. On the 2012-2013 Calendar, both options start on 8/13 and there are options to have the last day of class on Friday 5/24 (right before Memorial Day) - Option 2 or to have the last day after Memorial Day (Option 1). I would prefer option 2 so families could get on with their summer arragements. No reason to have to come back for 2 days after Memorial Day. Nothing will get done, for sure. Why can't we do like Fulton did this year? They added 10 minutes to each school day and started school August 23rd - a full week later than we did. Seems like a no-brainer.

My child is attending a Decatur City school this year. Initially, we were a little put off by the calendar, but it seems to be working well. And finding an alternative is not a problem; various places offer camps for the kids (my child goes to the camps at the Decatur YMCA). The schedule has not posed any problems (my husband and I both work) so I'm not sure the assumption that it would be "impossible for working parents" holds true.

As a teacher, I have often said that school is not babysitting. It is not meant as a sign of disrespect. My point is that decisions cannot be made based on child care issues. If Dekalb had a year-round schedule, camps and daycare centers (and probably some teachers) would meet the needs of parents by offering services during times off.

Some children don't attend school on those two days before Thanksgiving. My experience with daycare was that if the schools were out and it wasn't a holiday, they would offer care or supervision for school-age students who attended their after school program.

I agree that schools should not be in the business of providing childcare.

@11:44 "I definitely want to start as late as possible in August." I hope you haven't voted yet, because for 2011-12 the proposed Option 1 start date is August 8th, while the Option 2 start date is August 15th.

More than 80% of the households in DeKalb do not have children at a DCSS school. If taxpayers knew how much DCSS pay in air conditioning (electricity, labor, equipment, maintenance, outside contracts, etc.), they would demand that school starts later in August rather than earlier. It's in the millions.

@ Anonymous 9:55 pm"Really, I mean does A/C cost more in August than it does in June? Our kids would be in school deep into June if those of you who want (are obsessed with) a Labor Day start get your way......Post facts please - not stuff that makes no sense or is clearly bogus or just skewed to your own personal fixation. Jeez. "

Here are the facts:The average temperature in June in Atlanta is 2 degrees less than in August, and this is using the average of the entire month of June. The first 2 weeks of June are cooler than the last two weeks. so this would make the differential even wider:http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/30326?from=month_bottomnav_vacation

Taking the more conservative estimate of 2 degrees cooler temperatures from June to August:http://progress-energy.com/custservice/carres/energytips/ac.asp

Correction to my last post .."I'd say DCSS would spend a considerable amount on air conditioning if we stared two weeks later and ended two weeks later.. "

"Based on the average temperatures and the cost of cooling for each degree, DCSS would spend a considerable amount LESS on air conditioning if we stared two weeks later at the end of August and ended two weeks later in mid June "

And don't forget that August is the most polluted month because it is the second hottest month of the year. As soon as the buses hit the road, we immediately get more code orange days. With the asthma epidemic in Atlanta, this is terrible for our children.

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